Angle block



July 26, 1932. A D. RAMELLI. 1,869,278

ANGLE BLOCK Filed March 8, 1928 ATTORNEY Patented July 26, 1932 UNETEDSTATEE ANDREW D. RAMELLI, OF NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA ANGLE BrookApplication filed March 8,

This invention relates to improvements in angle blocks as used inroentgenography and it consists of the constructions, combinations andarrangements herein described and claimed.

An object of the invention is to provide an angle block which isadjustable within such predetermined latitudes that the head or othermembers of the body of the subject to be photographed by means of theX-ray may be supported at any one of a number of differently determinedpositions.

Other objects and advantages appear in the following specification,reference being 5 had to the accompanying drawing, in

which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved angle block;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section taken 0 substantially on the line 2-2of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a detail cross section taken on the line 33 of Figure 1; and

Figure 4; is a detail cross section taken on the line 11 of Figure 1.

Those skilled in and devoted to the art of roentgenography (the takingof photographs by use of the X-ray) are fully cognizant of the fact thatsuccess in producing a clear negative depends in a very large measureupon the position in which the subject is held. In no respect is thisaccomplishment so pertinent as in the photographing of the interiorrecesses of the human head.

For example, in order to obtain an Arcelin petrous bone view, it isessential to hold the head in such a position that there will be a.parallel relationship of the petrous bone with the film. The Roentgen orX-ray must be made to pass through the petrous bone at such an anglethat will produce a clear picture of the petrous bone, free of anyshadow thereof or of adjacent and unwanted parts of the skull.

Practice, over a period of many years, has demonstrated the fact thatthe human head, for example, may be held only in certain definitepositions in order to obtain clear pictures of certain parts. Toillustrate, to obtain what is known to the medical profession as alateral oblique view in the Law 1928. Serial No. 260,098.

position it is necessary to support the head at an angle of 13 to theplane of the table upon which the body reclines. Other views areobtained to best advantage by holding M the head at other known angles.The gener-' ally adopted custom is to use a suitable one of a more orless large number of separate angle blocks. The purpose of the invention7 is to produce a compact unit condensing the foregoing wide variety ofblocks into one'co block and providing unlimited angulation for theroentgenologist.

Reference is now made to the drawing. A base 1 is made of wood or othersuitable material carrying a platform 2 on which is placed a cassettecontaining X-ray film plates when the block is to be used for thepurpose of making an X-ray picture. The cassette is held in position bya plurality of edge strips 3. The platform is movably connected 7 withthe base by means of hinges 4.

Rods 5 support the platform 2 in various- 1y inclined positions. Theupper ends of the rods are hingedly connected to brackets j 6 that aresecured to the platform 2. The" lower ends of the rods 5 are hingedlyconnected to slides 7 and are movable upon guide bars 8 beside thebase 1. Offsets 9 at the ends of the base provide places where the barsare N secured and space the bars from the edges of the base.

Thumb screws 10 secure the slides in various positions along the guidebars. These thumb screws are carried by the slides and are arranged tobind against the bars when '85 screwed in. An indicator 11 on one of theslides 7 moves over an appropriate scale 12 on the base 1 so that theangular position of the platform 2 may be known with certain- I ty. Thecalibration of the scale will indi- '91:

cats angles of inclination of the platform 2 in respect to the base 1.The latter may be held horizontal, ormade to stand at an inclination, aspresently appears.

A pair of legs or bridges 13 are hinged 6 at 14 adjacent to oppositeedges of the base 1. The hinges are located a sufiicientdistance fromsuch edges that :;the outer surface of the bridges will come flush withthe H edges when the former are opened to the 7 picture.

standing position. The upper edge of each bridge will then abut thelower surface of the base and thus effect a sturdy support. Either oneor both of the bridges may be swung under the base to a closed position,the hinges being set into the material of the bridges and base so thatthe former may lie substantially flush with the under side of the basewhen closed.

' The height of the bridges 13 in respect to the width of the base 1 issuch that when one of the bridges 13 is folded under the base the latterwill incline at an angle of 13 from the horizontal. Obviously this anglemay be varied by constructing the angle block with bridges of variousheights, but

the angle of 13, here selected for illustra- ,tion, has been foundexactly suitable. for certain kinds of skull work. Coverings 15 of feltcloth, or the like, prevent skidding of the block when set on a polishedsurface and also prevents the marring of such surface.

The operation will be readily understood. The platform 2 serves as therest for a cassette containing an X-ray photograph plate. The edgestrips 3 hold the cassette in position. The subject is laid upon thecassette and the tube of the X-ray machine is directed against thesubject. When the machine is operated the photograph plate becomesaifected accordingly as the central ray may permeate the interposedsubject.

It will be apparent that a shifting of the subject in either direction,particularly if the subject be so complicated in nature as the humanskull, may result in a widely varying Certain undesired structures mayobstruct the central ray and either pervert the picture or cause thecasting of objectionable shadows.

Out of much experimentation certain notable positions have beendetermined. Any

desired position of the platform 2 can be arrived at by adjusting theindicator 11 along the scale 12. The lateral inclination of the entireblock in either direction may be arrived at by folding one or the otherof the two bridges under the base 1. Should it be desired to lower theblock somewhat, both bridges may be folded under.

While the construction and arrangement of the improved angle block isthat of a generally preferred form, obviously modifications and changesmay be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or thescope of the claim.

I claim:

An angle block comprising a base, a platform, hinges by which theplatform is movably connected at one edge of the base, a bar aiiixedalong anadjacent edge of the base, a scale carried by the base adjacent.

to the bar, a slide riding upon the bar and having an indicator movableover the scale, a rod having ends movably attached to the

